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An update from Evaneos

Best places to visit in Madagascar

Going to Madagascar is an experience in itself. The "great island" is a vast territory and to choose an itinerary is sometimes very difficult. Where to go? Which stopover places to choose?

Don't worry, we're here to help. An entire team of travellers, passionate about Madagascar and members of the Evaneos Travel community, have come together to share their advice and reviews with you on the places to visit during your trip to Madagascar. In short, you'll have all the information you need to organise the perfect trip.

Antananarivo, the capital and its twelve hills, boasts multiple attractions. Spend a few days there and discover its surroundings and the numerous trekking possibilities, on foot or by bike. Île Sainte Marie is a favourite spot: coconut trees, white sand, and the pleasures of nautical delights, not to mention whales when it's the right season. Diego Suarez, on the northern tip, and all its surroundings are beautiful. The "Tsingy Rouge" (red stone formations), Amber Mountain and the natural parks are must-sees. The villages of fishermen, Ramena and its vast beaches will enchant you. Nosy Be shouldn't be overlooked either, with its richly diverse and colourful sea-beds.

Towards the south, an unmissable route is to follow the RN7 highway to Tuléar. At Fianarantsoa, take the train to Manakara. An unforgettable and colourful journey awaits you, during which you'll cross incredibly stunning landscapes, so keep your cameras ready. In the extreme south-east, FortDauphin will give you the feeling that you're on another planet. Madagascar is a land of contrasts, between the red of its earth and the green of its crops and forests. There's a neverending list of activities on offer, from water sports to hikes in numerous natural parks like Isalo, or Ranomafana... Above all, don't hesitate to invest in a local guide, who'll share his knowledge of the area with you.

Cathy Trichet
Ankarana means "the place where there are pointed rocks". The National Park, which is situated in the north of the Island, has an underground network of 120 km: the biggest in Africa.
Welcome to the Madagascan capital, which is also referred to as "City of the Thousand". Two different explanations about the origins of this alternative name exist. One is that it was given to the city due to the sacred hills that surround it. The second explanation is that it refers to a legend of a battle once waged here by King An. It is almost inevitable that you will visit Antananarivo at some point during your trip to Madagascar.
The village of Antoetra, located not far from Ambositra (prounounced "Ambustcha"), is considered the gateway to the land of the Zafimaniry, the ethnic group that inhabits the region.
The Baie de Baly National Park is where marine and terrestrial ecosystems come together. Spread over 220 square miles, this reserve is home to many plant and animal species.
Welcome to a world of minerals, along the banks of the Manambalo. Near to the little town of Bekopaka there is another world. That of the magnificent Bemaraha plateau, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Peaceful nature encouraging serenity… welcome to Belo sur Mer peninsula where the sun shines 350 days a year . Its sublime bay alternates between fine sand and rocks, an ideal place for unforgettable sunsets. A huge mangrove swamp surrounds the area.
Ifaty (Madagascar)
Ifaty
5/5
Some say that Ifaty is one of the most beautiful diving spots in the world. You be the judge! The Ranobe Lagoon on the edge of the Mozambique Channel and its miles of coral reefs are a paradise for the area's Vezo fishermen, as well as for those who love underwater diving.
Along the Mozambique Channel, Kirindy Mitea National Park is a transitional area between the biodiversity of the Big Island's southern and western regions.
Makay (Madagascar)
Makay
5/5
The Makay Massif is an incredible natural sanctuary made up of several canyons formed by erosion, where there are islands of greenery that are home to mostly unrecognised species. 
The Manambolo is a river that flows through the western part of Madagascar before flowing into the Mozambique Channel.
Mananara Nord is both a land and marine national park. Listed by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve, it covers 144 000 hectares spread between sea and land on three islets: Nosy Antafana, Nosy Rangonty and Nosy Hely.
In Malagasy, Tsaravahiny translates as "where strangers are welcome". This centre was established by the ABM organisation to develop rural tourism with the inhabitants of the Menabe country.
The Andasibe-Mantadia National Park stretches over more than 61 square miles, and 80% of it is covered with wet primary forest. A refuge where lush nature flourishes.
Fragrances of ylang ylang, sugarcane and spices... This is where Nosy Be, the scented island, gets its name. Located in the Mozambique Channel, northwest of Madagascar, Nosy Be reveals the Malagasy charms of island life... Idyllic beaches, volcanic lakes and gorgeous sunsets will be your daily life!
Nosy Kisimany is a small island with one tiny fishing village, located in the vicinity of Nosy Be.
Nosy Mamoko is one of the islands in the Ambariotelo archipelago, north of Madagascar.
Lokobe Reserve is located on the south-east part of Nosy Be Island and contains the last remaining vestiges of a primordial forest that has now disappeared from the rest of the area it once covered. 
It is said that the bay of Salary boasts the most beautiful wild beaches of the country. The Ambatomilo lagoon, surrounded by one hundred kilometres of coral reef, is the refuge of extraordinary underwater flora and fauna.
Visible from Diego-Suarez, Windsor Castle is a monolith 391 metres high, with a magnificent view from the top.
Ambalandingana is a village of the region of Ambositra, perched on a mountain at 1600 metres of altitude. Literally meaning "stopover village", Ambalandingana bears its name well and effectively serves as a place to spend the night during a visit to Zafimaniry country. 
Ambatozavary is a small village surrounded by mangrove forests on the east shore of Nosy Be, the island paradise of the north of Madagascar.
Ambilobe is the starting point when heading to the magnificent Tsingys,a must on a trip to Madagascar.
Ambohimanga means “blue hill” , alongside of which you can add the title of royal. The site is listed as a World Heritage Site . It is evidence of three centuries of a mighty royal power, between the 16th and 19th centuries and affords a lovely cultural adventure when you visit Antananarivo .
This city of 33,000 inhabitants excels in marquetry and woodcarving. In fact, Ambositra is the capital of artisan craftsmanship. Its inhabitants’ talents come from the art of the Zafimany, the forest people.
Anakao (Madagascar)
Anakao
4/5
Here you are at the gates of the magical primary forest. Andasibe offers you the chance to discover Mantadia National Park and its untouched flora, a primary forest that has never been "affected" by man.
Andavadoaka refers to the “pierced rock” , visible in the distance. Here, after an immense coral reef that is practically unbroken for 155 miles, the landscape gives way to islets. This place of transition makes the marine biodiversity here richer than in other reefs.
It is sometimes said that the Anjajavy peninsula is a miniature of Madagascar as it brings together in one place some of the emblems of the island, such as the famous Tsingys.
The city of Anjozorobe is nestled in the landscapes typical of the Central Highlands, north of the capital, Antananarivo . 
Located on Madagascar’s eastern coast, Ankanin’ny Nofy will not disappoint. Nestled on lake Ampitabe, the simplest way to get there is to sail down the Canal des Pangalanes from Toamasina by scow. You can also rent a motorised canoe.